Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Our River Menu

Our river meals are delicious, surprising, and great fun for guests and the guides who prepare them. The keys are “fresh, top quality food prepared carefully” by guides who love to cook and “show off” off in our river kitchen. Hughes rafts carry huge ice chests that hold fresh meats and fish, fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy products, and other goodies for the entire trip. Each evening, we have a stack of up to seven Dutch ovens filled with the main course, side dishes, hot breads, desserts,  there’s always “plenty” on a Hughes trip.

 

Dine in comfort with camp chairs, dining tables complete with table cloths, real plates and silver. Best of all, the Hughes Crew does the set-up, cooking, serving, and clean up – all with a smile. Cooking great meals on the river is great fun.

Hughes provides a complimentary beverage supply of beer, soda, fruit drinks and wine. Generous, but not intended to cover all trip beverages. And the other good news is that we have ample room for you to bring your favorites. Large ice chests keep the drinks chilled. Cocktail ice is available each evening.

We know you don’t come on a river trip just for the food. However, we take pride in fabulous meals. Hughes River meals are not just food, they are GREAT FOOD! Here’s an outline of what you can expect on a six day trip.

Breakfast

Breakfasts always include coffee, hot chocolate, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, half & half. Beverages, fruit, cereal at 7:00 am, and breakfast at 8:00 am.

  • French Toast and thick cut Idaho Bacon (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Huevos Rancheros Breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, corn and flour tortillas, chorizo, country sausage, fresh veggies, cheese, sour cream, salsa, black beans, refried beans …)
  • Yeast & Blueberry pancakes, fat links, eggs to order (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Breaded and fried catfish fillets, Dutch oven cinnamon rolls, hash browns, eggs to order.
  • Lochs & Bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola.

Lunch

Lunches include a fresh salad, cookies, candy, fruit, nuts, veggies, cheeses, and a variety of condiments.

  • Deli sandwich bar, homemade pasta salad, homemade cookies.
  • Caesar salad, wraps, sides of salmon and bacon. Cold cuts and cheeses.
  • Chicken, Bacon & Ranch salad wraps.
  • Deli sandwich bar, chips & cookies.
  • Taco Salad, cold cuts and a variety of cheese.
  • Locally catered lunch-every river varies.

Hors d’oeuvres

Each night is different. Plan on steamed artichokes with lemon and butter dip, an assortment of crackers & cheese, bruschetta, clam dip, guacamole always fresh and good.

River bruschetta

Dinner

Dinners are highlights of each river day. Hughes provides six bottles of wine per evening.

1st Night

  • Grilled wild sockeye salmon fillets
  • Scratch Dutch oven cornbread
  • Pasta
  • Wilted Spinach salad w/ warm dressing – with sides of bacon and boiled eggs
  • Dutch oven brownies with whipped cream

2nd Night

  • 40 Mile Stew (Dutch oven delight, with lots of river history to enjoy) “Unique Specialty of the House”. Many guests say it’s their favorite, and ask for the recipe and a store to buy a Dutch oven.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Fresh corn on the cob
  • Deluxe cole slaw (cabbage, apples, oranges, raisins, walnuts on the side)
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler

40 mile stew

3rd Night

  • Marinated grilled thick cut pork chops
  • Apple Sauce
  • Scratch Dutch oven beer bread
  • Stir fried veggies
  • White Rice
  • Dutch oven carrot cake – double layer with creamy icing

Pork chops on the grill

4th Night

  • Dutch oven Rock Cornish game hens with wild rice and veggies – spectacular Dutch oven meal. A Hughes specialty.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Deluxe green salad
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler

5th Night

  • Grilled rib eye steaks & shrimp
  • Garlic bread
  • Dutch oven Sheepeater Potatoes (Idaho potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, sour cream and cream of mushroom soup). Classic Idaho river dish.
  • Caesar salad
  • Dutch oven chocolate cake – double layer with raspberry jam between the layers and thick creamy chocolate icing

*We are happy to accommodate meal requests for certain diets, allergies,and or sensitivities. Call our office for more details.

Wine on the river

Guest Information

  • 2024 Schedule and Rates
  • 2023 Schedule and Rates
  • Our River Menu
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Download Brochure
  • Hughes River News

Client Testimonials

My family and I took a trip on the Middle Fork June 13-17…everything about it was terrific! I’ve run a number of rivers through the years with different companies and this was absolutely the best experience yet. The guides were so helpful, the equipment was first rate…You should be proud of your company and all those who work with you, it’s an impressive outfit.
E. Arata, Millersville, MD (2008)
It was an awesome trip.  All the guests and especially the guides were the best.  … We had a thrilling flight to the put in and an even more exciting bus trip home … taking in the sites and seeing wild animals and birds.  …I believe we all hit the Jerry Hughes lottery and were chosen to be the best float with the best crew and guests of this season.  Rhonda and I thank all of you for making it happen…. May our paths cross again in the future.
Hynes, Corvallis, OR (2021)
Thanks again for all the wonderful food, local expertise, and a couple of well-deserved dunkings. It was wonderful hangin’ out with all of you! I’d love to run the Middle Fork with you sometime in the future. You all ROCK!!!!
Rachel Neugarten & Deanna Brown, The Nature Conservancy, Portland, OR (2006)
“I couldn’t let summer end without thanking each of you for such an amazing time on the Middle Fork! …. (T)he Middle Fork is a magical place, and I will hold memories of this adventure and your generous and wild spirits in my heart always…
L. Spackman, Santa Fe, NM (2016)
Up in the air with an incredible view, Then down to the river for an adventure that’s new… Proud evergreens, polished stones, bald eagle sightings; Emerald moving water with rapids so exciting! …….. We’re so happy to be part of this adventure!  It’s true that it’s because of the work of the great guides and you!
M. Penton, Leviadia, CA (2021)
We are easing back into the real world after a wonderful week on the Middle Fork. We had high expectations based on the experiences of friends who have floated with Hughes as well as your very own testimonials. And we found out that everyone – even you – understated it! This was a trip that will not soon be forgotten…I will remember my first-ever sighting of bighorn sheep, Bill will remember his first attempt at fly fishing and of course, there was the camaraderie, great food and total rel… Read more
S. Myers, Boise, ID (2009)
“Well, I am getting back into the swing of things here but it’s been tough to resist the temptation to sleep in my backyard, and I’m sure missing Buzz’s coffee.  Thank you for a fabulous adventure down the Owyhee!…The Canyon was beautiful beyond description, and the food and camaraderie fabulous.  You run a tight ship that doesn’t SEEM tight to your guests…always a great vibe on an HRE trip!”
S. Myers, Boise, ID (2016)
We had the most amazing time and I wanted you to know what an amazing crew. They each had something unique and special that added to the trip…. I only wish the trip had lasted another week or two. Can’t thank you all enough… Also loved the food.
B. Rochelle, Encinitas, CA (2013)
We had the best trip of all time and love the crew, 10 out of 10!
Hemmeter, SF, CA (2021)
Rawlin told me just this morning that he’s decided that he wants to go rafting for his birthday next year too. He mentions the trip at least 3 times a week. We loved it!
L. Weeks, Fairhope, AL (2013)
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© 2023 Hughes River Expeditions
406-540-4450 • email us • 6400 Caras Lane • PO Box 218 Lolo, MT 59847-0218
Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. is operated under special use permits through the Bureau of Land a Management & United States Forest Service.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.